Equestrian art, comedy, street artists, baroque fireworks, parades, exhibitions, children’s activities are all part of this fifth edition of Rome’s Carnival. Eleven days of non-stop fun from 2 to 12 February aim to attract a wider audience than ever before.
In addition to the prestigious international twinning with the city of Cordoba and Marseille-Provence 2013, ‘Capital européenne de la culture’, Rome’s Carnival has confirmed its long-term collaboration with the Carnival of Viareggio, as well as two new partnerships with the City of Blera and that of Fano.
Actor Alessandro Benvenuti will lend his voice to the equestrian show ‘The Horses of Rome’ and is patron of the Yorick Festival dedicated to the typical language of comedy as a tribute to Hamlet.
The festival opens on 2 February with a great equestrian parade from Piazza del Popolo, along Via di Ripetta and back to Via del Corso, taking in the same places as the great carnival events of Renaissance Rome, such as the race of the Berbers.
This year’s parade, which will include one hundred horses, carriages, costumed figures, characters from the ‘commedia dell’arte’, equestrian artists, historical groups and prestigious military regiments, will be a tribute to the great Italian composer Giuseppe Verdi, with the collaboration of Teatro dell’Opera di Roma. Prime location for all equestrian events is Piazza del Popolo, with a riding arena for performances, artists and shows by the ‘butteri’, Italy’s cowboys. Piazza Navona will once again become the setting for performances of ‘commedia dell’arte’ just as it was two centuries ago, with characters that are part of Italy’s history, art and culture and enjoyed all over the world.
Even the Roman theater circuit Agis is participating in the Carnival celebrations, organizing a series of shows and themed activities to celebrate this extraordinary event along with the audience.
Thanks to the participation of the Roman Carnival in the ‘Fête des Lumières’ and Roma Capitale’s contribution to the European Festival of Light, Rome will also enjoy ‘Les Orpailleurs de Lumière’, a 3D creation made specifically for Porta del Popolo.
2 to 12 February
Various locations around the city
Info: 060608, www.carnevale.roma.it
Program
Below is a selection from our programme. For details of all the events: 060608
Saturday, 2 February
PIAZZA DEL POPOLO
3.30 p.m. Piazza del Popolo/ Via di Ripetta / Via del Corso – Grand opening parade
4.30 p.m. Inauguration of the Village of Tradition and photo exhibition
4.30 p.m. Opening of the equestrian arena with equestrian artists and shows by the ‘butteri’
5 p.m. The great history of the Italian cavalry – 8th Regiment of Lancers Montebello – Italian Army
5.45 p.m. Screening of ‘Welcome to the Gateway of Time’, with Alessandro Benvenuti
8.30 p.m. Rehearsal of the equestrian show ‘The Horses of Rome’
PIAZZA NAVONA
11 a.m.-12 p.m. Palazzo Braschi – show ‘Yorick the Charmer’
12.15 p.m.-1.15 p.m. Renaissance stage – Commedia dell’arte performance ‘The Singing Shepherds’
4 p.m.-5 p.m. Palazzo Braschi – show ‘Yorick the Charmer’
5.15 p.m.-6.15 p.m. Renaissance stage – Commedia dell’arte performance ‘The Singing Shepherds’
6.30 p.m.-7.30 p.m. Great Waltz of Carriages
Sunday, 3 February
PIAZZA DEL POPOLO
9.30 a.m.-12.30 p.m. First riding lesson on Monterufoli horses
12.30 p.m.-2 p.m. Gladiator school for children and school of ancient dances
2 p.m.-3 p.m. The history of the Italian cavalry and mounted police with demonstrations of horse breaking and a show of different horse breeds with the State Forestry Department
3 p.m.-3.30 p.m. Via del Corso – Sarabande
3.30 p.m.-6-30 p.m. Street artists and historical groups from the Lazio region
3.30 p.m.-5.30 p.m. Pony Talent Show
5.45 p.m. Projections on Porta del Popolo of ‘Welcome to the Gateway of Time’ with Alessandro Benvenuti
6 p.m. Equestrian Entertainment ‘The Horses of Rome’
PIAZZA NAVONA
11 a.m.-12 p.m. Palazzo Braschi – show ‘Yorick the Charmer’
12.15 p.m.-1.15 p.m. Commedia dell’arte performance ‘The Singing Shepherds’
4 p.m.-5 p.m. Palazzo Braschi – show ‘Yorick the Charmer’
5.15 p.m.-6.15 p.m. Commedia dell’arte performance ‘The Singing Shepherds’
Thursday, 7 February, 2013
PIAZZA DEL POPOLO
3 p.m.-3.30 p.m. Via del Corso – Sarabande
3.30 p.m.-6-30 p.m. Street artists and historical groups from the Lazio region
4.30 p.m.-5 p.m. The history of the Italian cavalry: fanfare and display of mounted police
5.45 p.m. Projections on Porta del Popolo of ‘Welcome to the Gateway of Time’ with Alessandro Benvenuti
6 p.m. Equestrian Entertainment ‘The Horses of Rome’
PIAZZA NAVONA
4 p.m.-5 p.m. Palazzo Braschi – show ‘Yorick the Charmer’
5.15 p.m.-6.15 p.m. Commedia dell’arte performance ‘The Singing Shepherds’
Saturday, 9 February, 2013
PIAZZA DEL POPOLO
9 a.m.-1 p.m. Entertainment for children and families
10.15 a.m.-12.15 p.m. ‘Orlando Roncesvalles’ and equestrian games in period costume
12.30 p.mm-2.30p.m. School of gladiators for children and school of ancient dances
1 p.m.-2.30 p.m. ‘Animaglyphe’ with Manolo and Camille from Théâtre Centaur and the ‘butteri’ of the Roman Carnival re-enacting the transhumance
3 p.m.-5 p.m. Day of ‘buttero’ pride
3 p.m.-3.30 p.m. Via del Corso – Sarabande
3.30 p.m.-6.30 p.m. Recreational and educational activities
3.30 p.m.-6.30 p.m. Street artists and historical groups of Lazio
5.45 p.m. Projections on Porta del Popolo of ‘Welcome to the Gateway of Time’ with Alessandro Benvenuti
6 p.m.-7.15 p.m. Equestrian entertainment ‘Cordoba equestrian. Pasion Y Duende del caballo andaluz ‘
PIAZZA NAVONA
11 a.m.-12 p.m. Palazzo Braschi – show ‘Yorick the Charmer’
12.15 p.m.-1.15 p.m. Commedia dell’arte performance ‘The Singing Shepherds’
4 p.m.-5 p.m. Palazzo Braschi – show ‘Yorick the Charmer’
5.15 p.m.-6.15 p.m. Commedia dell’arte performance ‘The Singing Shepherds’
Sunday, February 10, 2013
PIAZZA DEL POPOLO
9 a.m.-1 p.m. Workshops and lessons about Carnival for children and families
9.30 a.m.-12.30 p.m. First pony ride
12.30 p.m.-2.30 p.m. School of gladiators for children and school of ancient dances
2.30 p.m.-5 p.m. Pony parade in fancy dress
3 p.m.-3.30 p.m. Via del Corso – Sarabande
3.30 p.m.-6.30 p.m. Street artists and historical groups of Lazio
5.45 p.m. Projections on Porta del Popolo ‘Welcome to the Gateway of Time’
6 p.m.-7.15 p.m. Equestrian entertainment ‘Cordoba equestrian. Pasion Y Duende del caballo andaluz ‘
PIAZZA NAVONA
11 a.m.-12 p.m. Palazzo Braschi – show ‘Yorick the Charmer’
12.15 p.m.-1.15 p.m. Commedia dell’arte performance ‘The Singing Shepherds’
4 p.m.-5 p.m. Palazzo Braschi – show ‘Yorick the Charmer’
5.15 p.m.-6.15 p.m. Commedia dell’arte performance ‘The Singing Shepherds’
Tuesday, February 12, 2013
PIAZZA DEL POPOLO
3 p.m.-3.30 p.m. Via del Corso – Sarabande
3.30 p.m.-6.30 p.m. Street artists and historical groups of Lazio
3.30 p.m. Grand finale of Carnival with the ‘butteri’ cowboys, equestrian artists, street artists
4.30 p.m.-5.20 p.m. The history of the Italian cavalry: the 4th Regiment of Carabinieri on horseback
5.45 p.m. Projections on the Porta del Popolo ‘Welcome to the Gateway of Time’ with Alessandro Benvenuti
6 p.m.-7.15 p.m. Equestrian entertainment ‘Cordoba equestrian. Pasion Y Duende del caballo andaluz ‘
7.30 p.m. Roman Baroque Firework Display ‘The Sun in Sight’
PIAZZA NAVONA
4 p.m.-5 p.m. Palazzo Braschi – show ‘Yorick the Charmer’
5.15 p.m.-6.15 p.m. Commedia dell’arte performance ‘The Singing Shepherds’
From aguestinrome.it